Following the recent major refurbishment by Williams Tarr at Cheetham Hill Retail Park, the new Sports Direct and Lidl Stores are now open for business.

The existing units have been completely re-vamped to an ultra-modern standard with new roof and wall cladding and an extensive mezzanine floor was introduced to increase the floor area by 40,000 sq. ft.

The attractive new curtain walled facades have transformed the old units and created an ambience for the new stores that is more than a match for other retail parks in the area.

Williams Tarr Contracts Manager Paul Hamlett said:

We had to overcome some interesting logistical problems in constructing the new piled mezzanine foundations within the confines of the existing building shell. In the event it all went very smoothly and we’re delighted with the finished job. The new facades look really striking.

Williams Tarr are well under way with the construction of a new £4 million-plus mixed retail and leisure project at Preston for Sports Direct. The scheme involves the complete refurbishment and doubling in size of Unit A at Deepdale Retail Park on Blackpool Road.

Formerly occupied by Toys r Us, the original 44,500 sq. ft. unit is being stripped back to a bare steel frame and completely rebuilt, including the introduction of a steel-framed mezzanine floor to the full area, almost doubling the existing floor space. The new unit is being configured to accommodate for Sports Direct, Evans Cycles and Flannels luxury clothing, together with a state-of-the-art Everlast Fitness Centre on the first floor.

As the building sits on a former land-fill site, an extensive network of pre-augured bottom driven piles are being installed to carry the new pad foundations. The mezzanine will have a composite metal deck and power floated concrete floor. Careful reinstatement of existing geo-membranes under the floor slab and external works will be required as works progress.

The new roof and wall cladding will incorporate large areas of glazed curtain walling and feature entrances. Internally the scope includes the introduction of a new passenger/goods lift, a platform lift and an escalator. Changing rooms, toilets and offices for the gym are to be incorporated, together with ancillary store rooms, etc.

Other works include sprinklers, external lighting, new incoming mains and adaptations to external works and drainage.

Williams Tarr Managing Director, David Wilkinson said:

Having recently finished a major retail scheme at Cheetham Hill for Sports Direct, it’s gratifying to secure repeat business. We are very experienced at delivering projects in live environments.

When the first Covid lockdown was imposed on 16th March 2020 Williams Tarr had just commenced a major £5m+ pharmaceutical project that was classified as “essential”. Almost overnight we had to create Covid-19 Risk Assessments and Method Statements for sites and our Head Office to ensure that everyone was safeguarded and fully compliant. This challenge gave us early experience of managing Covid-secure sites, which allowed us to complete the essential project safely and on time.

It was a tall order. An unprecedented situation demanding intense attention to detail and co-operation from all our operatives, supply chain businesses and client’s teams. Williams Tarr were in the vanguard of construction companies who had to tackle the situation “head on”.

We set up our own track and trace system and produced a wide range of unique procedures and notices to combat Covid risks. Practical measures like additional w.c.’s and canteens to ensure social distancing were introduced, along with extra PPE and sanitising stations. We now also have lateral flow testing available for our work force.

Our efforts were successful and since then we have been awarded further pharmaceutical projects that are driven by the demand for pandemic countermeasures.

These days, whilst the risks of Covid infection are reducing, we are still maintaining a vigilant stance to ensure Covid-secure operations in line with current Government guidelines. Our experience of working safely through the first stringent lockdown period has stood us in good stead for the future.

Williams Tarr Contracts Director Trevor Hughes who heads up our Health & Safety commented:

We have always been extremely safety conscious on our sites and are constantly striving to make sure that the challenges imposed by Covid are being managed safely without compromise to project timelines.

Williams Tarr have recently handed over a new 34,000 sq. ft. Home Bargains store at Hyndburn. The contract for T J Morris also included construction of an adjoining 15,000 sq. ft. Fitness Centre for JD Gyms.

The £2.5m design and build scheme involved the total de-construction of an existing detached retail unit back to the steel frame and the complete rebuilding to create two new facilities. The profile of the unit was modernised with the introduction of parapets, and the steel structure had to be strengthened to support the new loadings.

The modern, attractive store, clad in Home Bargains corporate branding style, is in a prominent position on the retail park and has enhanced the area considerably.

Williams Tarr Contracts Manager Paul Hamlett said:

We enjoy an excellent non-adversarial team relationship with our client, T J Morris. Over the past few years Williams Tarr has had the pleasure of building numerous new Home Bargains stores at locations from Wednesbury in the Midlands to Holyhead at the tip of Anglesey and up to North Lancashire. Long may it continue!

Mick Cullen the Yard and Plant manager at Williams Tarr has recently clocked up an incredible 50 years’ service for the company. Since March 1971, through thick and thin, Mick has always been hands-on behind the scenes carrying out a versatile range of essential duties to help keep the business running smoothly. He has managed our yard, maintained our vehicles and plant, delivered materials and equipment and helped to set up and de-mobilise sites. His cheery smile, great sense of humour and sheer willingness to help with any problems, mark him out as a unique and valued work colleague.

Williams Tarr’s Contracts Director Trevor Hughes who has worked with Mick for the past 26 years was delighted to present him with a special bottle of vintage brandy as part of the celebrations, (pictured right).

Williams Tarr’s M.D. David Wilkinson commented:

Without dedicated and loyal staff like Mick the company wouldn’t be the success it has been, having now recently surpassed its 100th year in business. Congratulations to Mick on reaching your half century!

Williams Tarr is relocating its HQ office facility to more modern premises at Greenway House, Greenway, Paddington, Warrington, WA1 3EF, with effect from Tuesday 1st June 2021.

All other contact addresses and phone numbers for us remain unchanged. Williams Tarr’s Materials and Plant Yard at Bridge Road will remain in use as normal.

The new suite of Cat B open-plan air conditioned offices at Greenway House provide staff with a much better environment and provide a more efficient team-working atmosphere.

With the benefit of modern communications technology we have also introduced more flexible staff working arrangements with a combination of office and remote working, promoting improved productivity and a greater work/life balance for staff.

Williams Tarr Construction’s M.D. David Wilkinson said:

Williams Tarr has always been based in Warrington since the business was founded over 103 years ago. Our old office premises, acquired back in the 80s had become inefficient. We’re now looking forward to enjoying the benefits of our new modern offices.